Investigators don't yet know the man's identity, said Richard Rodriguez of the HPD Homicide Division. He is white and appears to be in his late 30s or early 40s. Rodriguez said the man has trauma to his face, as if he had been beaten. He had been in the water between about 12 to 15 hours.

The man was wearing only camouflaged shorts. Rodriguez said the man has several distinctive tattoos. On his chest, he has a tattoo of a German eagle, resembling symbols used by Nazi Germany. He also has a Viking holding a battle ax tattooed on his right upper arm and a tattoo of the Grim Reaper on his left shoulder.

Some of the tattoos, Rodriguez said, appear to be similar to those worn by members of white supremacist gangs, such as the Aryan Brotherhood.

An HPD officer on routine patrol spotted the body. A member of the HPD dive team swam into the bayou and retrieved the body a short time later.